Marshall, AnnDiPasquale, MichaelSchreiber, StephenBerry, Palmer J.2024-10-022024-10-022024-0510.7275/54880https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14394/54880Among the 330 million inhabitants of the United States, 5 million are adopted. Of those 5 million, around 200,000 are adopted from an Asian country such as China, Japan, Vietnam, or Korea (Witenstein, 2006). Economic and social factors from some Asian countries such as the one-child policy (China), diplomatic relations (such as forming trust with one another), and promoting adoption were part of building interest in transnational adoption. It is also important to note that Western interest in adoption was largely spurred on by a lack of available domestic adoption as well as racial stereotypes such as the misinformed idea that Asians are model people(Lee, 2006). Around 80% of the adoptions from Asia are by Caucasian families which can often lead to the adopted child living in a geographical location that is not adjacent to or part of an Asian community (Ibid., 2006). The census suggests that Asian-American communities are concentrated in and near major cities although this demographic is also present in some suburban areas (Census, 2022). A lack of connection to an Asian community can lead to feelings of isolation or confusion in identity due to being placed in a space between two cultures. This thesis looks to address the concept of that third or in-between space and will achieve it through the design of a cultural center . The cultural center can then become a place of connection and clarification rather than one of disorientation and aloneness. In addition to it becoming a connection space for people of all backgrounds, especially adoptees, it features a night-market inspired space that creates more connection with the broader community. Food is a tactile and exciting way to delve into a new culture without becoming overwhelmed.ArchitectureEast-AsianAsian-AmericanCultural CenterAmerican Asian ArchitectureAsian American AdopteesAdoptionTransnational AdoptionThesis (1 Year Campus Access Only)https://orcid.org/0009-0004-5166-762X